Energy speculation:Sardinia approves a moratorium on new projects

The Sardinia Region has approved an 18-month moratorium that blocks any new renewable energy, wind and photovoltaic projects, in order to stop what has been defined as an "assault by multinationals" on Sardinian soil.A defined rule «transitory and emergency» in order to allow planning the energy future of the region and the map of suitable areas.The Grig (Legal Intervention Group), an association that fights against wind power abuses in Sardinia, calculated that in September 2023 they were well 711 applications for concessions for new plants.An assault which in recent months has caused the birth of a large movement of citizens calling for a stop to speculation and the protection of the landscape.The centre-left majority voted in favor of the law, while the opposition abstained, judging the law «shy and insufficient, aimed exclusively at calming the minds of citizens and movements", as declared by the FdI group leader in the Regional Council, Paolo Truzzu.

The suspension for wind and photovoltaic has been approved with 32 votes in favour, one against and 21 abstentions.Specifically, the law establishes the ban on building new electricity production plants from renewable sources not yet granted or authorized.However, “electricity production plants from renewable sources are excluded aimed at self-consumption”, and “those included in energy communities”.During the vote, some of the amendments of the right-wing minority were rejected, including, explains Paolo Truzzu, «the one which, exploiting the primary competence of our Region in urban planning matters, aimed to strengthen the law with the introduction of a mandatory and binding opinion of the Region for all proceedings under national jurisdiction".

Faced with a regional majority that describes the suspension as a saving initiative, and a minority that considers it a bogeyman to calm the protests, it is difficult to find someone who analyzes the new law by adopting a critical posture that highlights its strengths and weaknesses.He tried anyway Grey, which raised the various critical issues of the suspension, explaining why the Region's proposal is not enough to safeguard Sardinia.Specifically, the Grig detects the little legal strength which the law provides:according to the group, "a regional rule that provides for a moratorium on procedures or the suspension of authorizations for wind and photovoltaic power plants on its regional territory would very likely challenged for conflict of powers (art.127 Constitution.) by the State before the Constitutional Court with quite predictable outcomes".Furthermore, the hold put forward by the law would concern not so much the concessions, but the realization of the works, which "means that a project could be authorized, but it could not be concretely achieved."To overcome the critical issues, the GRIG rather proposes to draw up a national moratorium, which would translate into "a suspension of any procedure and authorization for new energy production plants from renewable sources".

The criticisms and voices of dissent aimed at the bill "Urgent measures to safeguard the landscape, landscape and environmental assets” have arisen since his approval.In general, Sardinian citizens they have been protesting for months against speculation which governs the concession system for wind farms on the island.Among the most recent protests, that of Monday 24 June, under the motto "the energy transition must serve, not enslave“.Activists, in particular they do not intend to prevent the transition to wind power and renewable energy sources, but to fight against wild speculation, for a transition process that takes place with the collaboration of citizens and with respect for a territory whose natural heritage is increasingly battered by human activity.

[by Dario Lucisano]